Dandy Cat

My family got her on January 10, 2018, after my dad’s friend could no longer look after her. She looked bedraggled and was unsure of her new surroundings. She cleaned up nicely, though, and quickly made herself at home. After all, there has never been a shortage of comfy beds for dogs to lie on in our house.

My dad was thrilled to have her here; they were quick buddies. I still feel sad that he only got to spend sixteen days with her before he was admitted into the hospital in which he died. They should have had more time together.

When the rest of us got used to this fluffy new presence, we fell in love hard.

My other dog, Ruby, was not as thrilled. She can be a grump sometimes. They were always okay together, though, and that was enough. I suspect Monroe actually helped Ruby be an even better dog. For instance, Ruby sometimes has to be persuaded to eat food. Monroe’s excitement for dinner made Ruby excited about dinner.

I loved how she would greet me at the door whenever I arrived home. She was always curious to know who it was and always excited to see me return.

I loved how her tail wagged constantly. Whenever she was around someone who paid her the least bit of attention, it started swishing through the air like mad.

I loved how she would give a little hop when I slipped my hands under her tummy to pick her up, as if to say, “Oh yay, you’re going to hold me now? Let me help you with that!”

I loved how she would get random bursts of playful energy. We would throw her stuffed toys across the room and she would gallop with determination and glee to retrieve them. She would shake it all around, sometimes flinging it up in the air, while bringing it back.

I loved the way she would twirl in endless circles when it was treat time. Like a tiny whirling dervish, she would spin a path to her snack spot.

I loved how she had the snore of a dog five times her size.

I loved how she would paw at your arm whenever you were nearby and not scritching her back. It was the duty of the house to never stop petting her.

I loved how she had the loudest feet for such a tiny dog. They looked like the feet of a character from a Dr. Seuss book and they would PAT-PAT-PAT wherever she went.

I loved the sound of her tiny slurps when she drank water late at night. She would get her fill and then amble her way back to the end of the house to sleep.

I loved how she would incessantly lick every finger, hand, or paw within reach. She would have licked her tongue down to nothing if she could.

I loved how fiercely loyal she was to her home and family. Spotting a person or other animal through the kitchen windows would always elicit a flurry of (admittedly cute) growls or barks at whoever dared trespass on her turf. She kept us all safe.

I loved how she would flop her head into my hand with such force whenever I rubbed around the base of her ears. And I loved how those ears flopped up whenever she quickly raised her head.

I loved how she could always find the warmest and softest spot in the house.

I loved how interested she was in the world around her. She wanted to inspect anything within reach of her nose—cardboard boxes, food containers, bushes. I would have her check out anything I had in my hands, waiting for her approval.

I loved how she would frequently cross her paws when she lied down. It was rarely accidental. She looked like a fancy pup that way.

I loved how she was always happy to just sit with us. She liked being with people, even if nothing was happening. She would lie in one of her many beds and watch us work or make dinner (when she didn’t quickly fall asleep, that is).

I loved the way she would let us know that it was about dang time whenever we fed her. She would lift her furry, impatient face into the air and say, “RARF RARF RARF RARF!” She would then vacuum up her food with exuberant abandon.

I loved how everyone loved her. She brightened the lives of anyone she met.

She left us on January 17, 2022. She was the sweetest dog and made my world immeasurably better. I’m grateful we had the opportunity to make her a special part of our family, as well as give her the most comfortable and loving home a dog could ever have.

I love and miss you, Monroe. So much. ❤️

Ruby’s been great company for me today, so I wanted to recognize how cute, fun, and delightful she is, even while sleeping. She’s got the stinkiest toots in all the land, but I won’t hold that against her. She’s been a wonderful part of my life for going on eleven years. 🐶